Undergo Early Screening to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

A Cebu-based cancer center urged the public to undergo early screening to fight
colorectal cancer.

The Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
(RAFI) also advised the people to observe a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and
maintenance of a well-balanced diet.

EJACC urged the public to take this counsel seriously as the country celebrates
Colorectal Awareness Month in March.

Colorectal cancer, a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal and
divide without control, forming a mass called a tumor, is one of the leading causes of cancer-
related deaths among Cebuanos, based on the Cancer Registry of EJACC.

The Metro Cebu Population-based Cancer Registry of EJACC recorded 653 cases in
1998-2002 and 364 reported who have died of it. In the year 2002-2007 the Cancer Registry
recorded an increased number of reported cases in Metro Cebu—862 cases were reported and
489 cases died of the disease.

Individuals age 40 and above, who have a sedentary lifestyle, who are eating high fat
and low fiber diet, who have family and medical history of the disease, and who have polyps and
ulcerative colitis, face high risk of acquiring colorectal cancer.

“The most important thing to know about colorectal cancer is that it often exists without
any symptoms. This is why regular screening is very important. Regular screening can detect
polyps at an early state before cancer develops or when it is most curable,” Ronald delos Reyes,
EJACC program coordinator, said.

He also pointed out that the colon and rectum, which comprise the large intestine, are
vital in turning liquid stool into formed fecal matter.

A Cebu-based cancer center urged the public to undergo early screening to fight
colorectal cancer.

The Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
(RAFI) also advised the people to observe a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and
maintenance of a well-balanced diet.

EJACC urged the public to take this counsel seriously as the country celebrates
Colorectal Awareness Month in March.

Colorectal cancer, a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal and
divide without control, forming a mass called a tumor, is one of the leading causes of cancer-
related deaths among Cebuanos, based on the Cancer Registry of EJACC.

The Metro Cebu Population-based Cancer Registry of EJACC recorded 653 cases in
1998-2002 and 364 reported who have died of it. In the year 2002-2007 the Cancer Registry
recorded an increased number of reported cases in Metro Cebu—862 cases were reported and
489 cases died of the disease.

Individuals age 40 and above, who have a sedentary lifestyle, who are eating high fat
and low fiber diet, who have family and medical history of the disease, and who have polyps and
ulcerative colitis, face high risk of acquiring colorectal cancer.

“The most important thing to know about colorectal cancer is that it often exists without
any symptoms. This is why regular screening is very important. Regular screening can detect
polyps at an early state before cancer develops or when it is most curable,” Ronald delos Reyes,
EJACC program coordinator, said.

He also pointed out that the colon and rectum, which comprise the large intestine, are
vital in turning liquid stool into formed fecal matter.